Australian Muslim Council Faces Backlash for Opposing Israeli President’s Visit

The Australian National Imams Council (ANIC) has sparked nationwide outrage after launching a campaign to block the upcoming visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who is set to honor victims of the recent Bondi Beach massacre. The call has been met with fierce criticism from Jewish leaders and public figures who view it as a divisive act during a time of national mourning and solidarity.

President Herzog’s visit, scheduled for early next year, was extended by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese following the horrific terrorist attack that targeted a Hanukkah celebration, killing 15 people and injuring at least 40 others. The Israeli leader’s visit is intended as a gesture of support for Australia’s Jewish community, which has been deeply shaken by the violence.

In a controversial statement, ANIC urged the prime minister to revoke Herzog’s invitation, accusing him of complicity in “war crimes” amid Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza. The council claimed Herzog should not be “welcomed or afforded legitimacy” in Australia. The inflammatory rhetoric has drawn strong condemnation for its timing and tone, particularly given the context of the president’s visit.

David Ossip, president of the New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies, responded forcefully: “It’s so disappointing to hear calls for division just as Australians want this to be a time for unity,” he said. “Australia has been attacked, and its citizens have been slaughtered on the beach. Many countries, quite rightly, want to show their solidarity with us at this time. Let them.”

The backlash reflects broader concerns among Australia’s Jewish community, which has faced a troubling spike in antisemitic incidents since October. In response to escalating threats, the NSW government recently passed new laws granting police greater authority to restrict protests, ban hate symbols associated with terrorist organizations like Hamas, and tighten firearm regulations.

Despite ANIC’s claims that such measures stifle democratic freedoms, Jewish leaders insist the crackdown is a necessary step to protect vulnerable communities. ANIC’s criticism of these laws as “anti-Palestinian” and disconnected from the Bondi tragedy has only fueled tensions further.

In a powerful letter to the prime minister, the Rabbinical Association of Australia urged the formation of a Royal Commission into antisemitism, citing the urgent need for concrete action. “We have sat with grieving families. We have visited the injured. We have stood with children who no longer feel safe walking to school,” the letter read.

Calling for an outright ban on hate-filled marches and slogans, the rabbis stressed that this is no longer a theoretical debate but a reality faced daily by Jewish Australians. They specifically named the slogans “death to the IDF,” “globalize the intifada,” and “from the river to the sea” as dangerous expressions of incitement.

As Herzog prepares to visit, the significance of his presence extends far beyond diplomacy. It’s a moment of solidarity with a community in pain a moment that many believe should be embraced, not obstructed.

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